Rescuing Ash

Chapter 4

By Speed Demon



When Misty finally reached Blackthorn City, she changed into the borrowed Team Rocket uniform inside of an ancient, rickety shed and started for the old, sky-blue building also known to some as HQ. Nate had told her what her alias was, and all essential facts she might need to know she was questioned in case by anyone.

She had bought some hair dye before leaving Ecruteak City, and she had dyed her hair medium-light blonde. Between her hair job and the Team Rocket uniform, she barely recognized herself.

She entered quietly, and was amazed at how complex and advanced Team Rocket actually was. She'd never realized how powerful they truly were until the moment she stepped into the station. The interior looked like some type of cross between a futuristic lab and an army control center. Sophisticated machinery whirred and hummed throughout, and it seemed like hundreds of men and women dressed in white lab coats emblazoned with a large red 'R', buzzed about them, making notes and conversing quietly with one another.

In one of the machines, Misty was shocked to see Ash's Pikachu and several other Pokémon being tested by several of the technicians. She was about to say something until she remembered that she was supposed to be a Rocket too, and shut her mouth.

Misty hurried quickly through the main room, and stepped into the hall, where rows of doorways leading to the Rockets quarters stood. The hall was nearly empty. She needed to find Nate's room, but she didn't know where to start. There were numbers on each of the doors, but since she didn't know Nate's number, she decided to call and ask. She figured it would look slightly suspicious if she called in the middle of the hall, so she looked for somewhere to hide so she could talk to him privately. Misty walked the length of the hall, and found a small closet. Making sure that no one was watching, she opened the door and shut herself inside.

She had hidden herself in what appeared to be a broom closet. She struggled to keep her balance in the tiny room that seemed to be overflowing with cleaning supplies and smelled strongly like Clorox bleach. She dialed Nate's number and spoke briefly with him before hanging up.

Misty stepped out of the closet, and dusted herself off. Several Rockets gave her odd looks, to which she smiled sheepishly. Then she hurried off to Nate's quarters.

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The doctors who had put Ash into the machine now dragged his unconscious body over onto a metal table, where one of them proceeded to attach wires to his head and body. The wires were joined to a computer, which monitored his vital signs and brain wave activity. According to the machine, Ash's body was functioning perfectly normal. There was some surges in electricity that were slightly beyond average for a human, but the doctor attributed this to the fact that Ash had just been through the brainwash machine, which involved high levels of electricity. After all routine checks, the doctors tested the information contained in Ash's brain. They found all memories; from his early childhood days to his being placed into the brainwashing machine had been completely erased. He could still walk and talk like any normal human, and they had left his ability to train and battle Pokémon untouched.

Suddenly, Ash's eyes fluttered open, and he said, "Where am I?"

The doctor leaning over him smiled. "Home."

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Misty slipped silently into Nate's room, and he greeted her warmly. She was surprised to find Jessie and James in the room as well. She was wary at first, but after Nate explained that Jessie and James were going to help get Ash back, she settled down.

"First of all," Misty said, we need to find a way to get him out without them knowing, if possible."

"Ash's room is guarded 24/7." James replied.

Jessie thought for a moment, and then said, "I have an idea."

She explained her plan to the rest of them, and they all agreed that it sounded like it would be their best bet.

After discussing how they would perform the mission, Nate took Misty aside and said, " I have some bad news."

Misty's face paled. "What?" She said, almost afraid to hear the answer.

"Ash underwent the brainwashing machine a little over an hour ago. According to the people that conducted the tests on him, his memory was completely erased."

Tears blurred Misty's vision, and she collapsed into Nate's arms, sobbing profusely. Jessie and James both wore sympathetic looks, and Jessie grabbed James hand and pulled him out of the room.

When Misty's tears finally slowed, Nate told her that he had arranged a room, and he suggested that she get some sleep. He gave her the room number and sent her out the door.

Luckily it was late at night, and the halls were completely empty. Misty's eye's were red from crying, and her cheeks were streaked with tears. She hurried to her new room, and flopped onto the bed. Almost immediately she dropped off into a dreamless sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED…



A/N: Uh, not much to say, except please review, and the cliffhanger wasn't too horrible this time, was it? ^-^